The Personal Reason

On Sunday 25 April 2027, I’ll be taking on the London Marathon to raise money for Brain Tumour Support.

This is a cause that, until very recently, I never imagined would become so personal.

In May 2026, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Almost overnight, life changed.

I lost my driving licence, which meant losing the independence of being able to get in the car and go wherever I needed to. It also meant having to give up one of the things I love most, riding my motorbike.

But the biggest changes are the ones that aren’t always visible.

I now regularly experience focal aware seizures and, as of August 2026, we still haven’t found medication that is controlling them. The medication itself also comes with side effects including severe fatigue, drowsiness and irritability.

And while I’m the person with the diagnosis, I’m not the only person living with it.

My wife is living with it.

My son is living with it.

There are now thoughts and worries in our family that simply weren’t there before.

What if something happens?

What if Dad can’t take me somewhere?

What if the medication leaves me too exhausted to do the things we had planned? How will that impact my work?

Losing my licence means I can’t simply take my family somewhere when I want to. The fatigue can mean family plans have to change. The side effects of treatment affect my mood and energy, and inevitably that has an impact on the people closest to me.

That is one of the reasons Brain Tumour Support exists.

A brain tumour diagnosis doesn’t just affect the person sitting in the hospital room hearing the words. It affects partners, children, parents, friends and entire families.

Brain Tumour Support helps people deal with both the physical and emotional impact of a brain tumour diagnosis, while also providing vital support to the families standing beside them.

So I’ve decided to do something big, but this time better!

I’m going to run 26.2 miles through London!

Between now and April 2027 there will be hundreds of miles of training, difficult days, early mornings and undoubtedly moments when I wonder why I signed up for this.

When those moments come, I’ll remember exactly why I’m doing it.

I’m running for people who have heard the words “you have a brain tumour.”

I’m running for the husbands, wives and partners trying to stay strong beside them.

I’m running for the children whose lives can suddenly change because Mum or Dad is ill.

As difficult as this diagnosis has been, I’m also very conscious that, right now, I am one of the lucky ones. I’m still able to work, spend time with my family, train for this marathon and plan for the future.

There are people living with brain tumours who are facing far more aggressive diagnoses, life-changing treatment, significant disability or an uncertain future, and there are families having to navigate situations far more serious than mine at this time. That perspective is a huge part of why I want to do this. I don’t just want to raise money because of what has happened to me; I want to use the position I’m fortunate enough to be in to help people who may need support far more urgently than I do today. Every donation helps Brain Tumour Support be there for those individuals and families when they need it most.

Please sponsor me

Whether you can give £5, £10, £20, £50 or more, every donation will help.

And just as importantly, every donation will remind me during training and on marathon day that there are people behind me wanting to make a difference.

If you can sponsor me, please do. If you can't donate, sharing this page would mean just as much.

Together, I’d love to turn something that has completely changed my life into something positive for other people affected by brain tumours.

Businesses – sponsor my marathon journey

I’d also love to hear from businesses that would like to support my challenge.

I will be offering visible space on my running vest(s) throughout my marathon training from September 2026 to April 2027, as well as on the vest I wear for the 2027 London Marathon.

That means your business can be part of this journey for months rather than just one day, with your brand appearing throughout my training, fundraising activity and ultimately alongside me for 26.2 miles through London on marathon day.

It’s an opportunity to support an important cause, help a local fundraiser achieve something huge and demonstrate to your customers, employees and community that your business is helping families affected by brain tumours.

If your business would be interested in sponsoring me or having your logo on my running vest, please get in touch. Example logo placements can be found in the gallery of images on this page.

Every mile will have a purpose.

26.2 miles. One very personal reason. And hopefully a lot of money raised for Brain Tumour Support.

Thank you for supporting me, my family, and everyone else whose life has been changed by a brain tumour diagnosis.